How Long Does a Typical Collision Repair Take When Using Genuine Manufacturer Parts in Huntsville?
What is the Timeline for Auto Repair When Using Genuine OEM Parts?
If your vehicle has been in an accident, one of the first questions you’ll want answered is: “How long will the repair take?” The answer depends on a variety of factors, including whether or not the collision shop uses genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or third-party generic parts. The best parts for any vehicle repair are genuine OEM parts, and the Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass team prefers using them when repairing vehicles for drivers around Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur.
Continue reading to learn more about how long it takes to repair a vehicle when using genuine OEM parts in Huntsville, AL.
How Long Will Your Collision Repair Take?
When a collision center like Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass uses genuine OEM parts, the collision timeframes fall into these ranges:
- Minor damage: 3 to 5 days
- Moderate damage: 1 to 2 weeks
- Major repairs: 3 to 6 weeks (sometimes longer)
While OEM parts may sometimes add a bit of time upfront, they often prevent damage that ill-fitting third-party parts cause. Third-party generic parts rarely fit well, so they often end up causing damage down the road.
Why Use Genuine OEM Parts for Collision Repair?
Anytime your vehicle needs repairs, the best choice is always genuine manufacturer’s parts. Genuine OEM parts are made by the automaker, and they are built with precise specifications. Additional benefits include:
- Exact fit and finish
- Precision engineered for structural integrity
- Compatibility with advanced tech systems like Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist
- Preservation of warranty and resale value
Modern vehicles with driver-assistance sensors and radar need OEM parts to maintain strict safety standards. If you want your vehicle to look and drive like new, you should always request genuine OEM parts every time your vehicle is serviced or repaired.
What Impacts Repair Time?
Several factors can increase or decrease repair time. When you choose a high-quality repair shop like Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass in Huntsville, AL, you always know what factors are impacting your vehicle’s time in the shop. These are the common culprits that can extend your repair timeline:
- The severity of the damage can extend the repair time. Cosmetic dents are quick to turn around, while structural damage to the frame takes more time.
- Parts availability can make repairs take longer, especially if OEM parts are on backorder. Common parts often arrive quickly, while specialized or backordered parts can take a week or more to arrive. Once the OEM parts arrive, installation is quick because the parts fit precisely with little to no complications.
- Repairs require insurance approval. Insurance companies must inspect the damage and approve the estimate before any repairs can begin. This step can take one to five business days, depending on how responsive the insurance company is.
- When a collision center is busy, workloads can slow the process. Every shop has to schedule its technicians, and when the workload builds up, repairs are put on hold until a technician is available. Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass is a reputable and well-staffed facility, so we are able to minimize delays.
- Advanced safety system calibrations can also add time to collision repairs. After our technicians have repaired the damage to your vehicle, they often need a few more hours or an additional day for calibration work.
What is a Typical Step-by-Step Repair Timeline?
If everything goes as planned, this is a typical collision repair timeline:
- Damage assessment and estimate takes 1 to 3 days
- Insurance approval takes 1 to 5 days
- Parts ordering & arrival takes 2 to 10 days, depending on availability
- Body repair & paint takes 2 to 10 days
- Reassembly & quality checks take 1 to 3 days
- Safety system recalibration & final inspection takes 1 day
Do OEM Parts Slow Down Repairs?
When you want the best parts for your car, you might have to wait. However, that extra wait time can save you money and time in the long run.
Aftermarket, third-party parts tend to be available faster, but they can:
- Require time-consuming modifications
- Delay installation
- Create fitment issues that cause damage over time
On the other hand, waiting for OEM parts benefits your vehicle, because they
- Fit correctly the first time
- Reduce labor time
- Minimize the risk of future problems
- Have a one-year manufacturer’s warranty
Why Do Huntsville Drivers Choose Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass?
In a growing city like Huntsville, the demand for quality collision repair is high, and Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass is one of the best in the area. Local drivers choose us because we:
- Schedule repairs as quickly as possible
- Use genuine OEM parts for their precise fit and finish
- Have certified repair facilities that meet OEM standards
- Work closely with insurance companies for quick approval of estimates
- Communicate regularly with our customers
Choose Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass for Exceptional Collision Repair in Huntsville, AL
While you might have to wait a little longer for genuine OEM parts, your collision repairs will have better results. With genuine OEM parts, your vehicle will look better, drive better, and have fewer long-term issues. Bill Penney Collision, Dent & Glass is the best spot for collision repair in Huntsville, AL because we use only the best OEM parts, and we staff our state-of-the-art service center with highly trained technicians.